iTunes update time...

[pam123]

Yes they've done it to us again.
This is the drill :
1. Download iTunes and save it to disk, I use a file in My Documents but suit yourself.
2. If you have ever had trouble with Quicktime download the latest stand alone version and save that to disk as well.
If you haven't backed up your iTunes do it now.
3. Uninstall iTunes, do not reboot. If you have spybot S&D it will pop up to ask if the registry change is permitted, say yes.
4. Uninstall Quicktime, Spybot S&D pops up, say yes, reboot.
5. Open 'C' in My Computer and delete any folders that say Apple, iTunes, iPod, or Quicktime.
6. Use the registry cleaner of your choice, I use RegCleaner, and hunt down any remaining iTunes, Quicktime, iPod or Apple entries. A word of warining if you use RegCleaner; you will see a very prominent ITS File, it's not iTunes but Internet Explorer, let it alone.
7. Restart .
8. Disconnect from the net and disable all your security software.
9. Now if you've had Quicktime problems before install the stand alone version of Quicktime first. Reboot give Quicktime the necessary permissions and find some movie trailers to run.
10. Disable all security software again. Install iTunes.
This last in the only step you take if you've never had Quicktime problems.
12. Reboot and give iTunes the permissions it needs to reach the web.
Remember ITunes needs server permission as well.
That's it.

Future prediction : Unless Apple makes some drastic changes in the next few iTunes releases you can simply upgrade but don't go into a button clicking trance.
You should probably do the clean install every third or fourth time just on general principles and anything that promises major changes means you scrub the old install and start fresh.
As for what will happen if you don't just check the Apple forums for the fall of 2005, the grim story.